Locking device for a valve

ABSTRACT

A locking device for a valve to be used in conjunction with a lock having an elongated barrel portion comprising a pair of detachably connected corresponding members that engage the flow valve to substantially prevent its movement. The members include covers, a means to restrain relative twisting of the members, and a means for joining the members together with the lock wherein a substantial portion of the barrel section of the lock is positioned between said members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Pat.application Ser. No. 133,636 filed on Dec. 16, 1987 for LOCKING DEVICEFOR A VALVE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a locking device for a valve, and inparticular, locking device for a shut-off valve on a fluid meter yokethat protects the shut-off valve and the hasp of a lock used inconjunction with the locking device from damage, vandalism and the like.

A public utility company, such as a gas or a water company, uses a meterto determine customer usage. If a customer is delinquent in paying thebill, the utility may terminate service and remove the meter therebypreventing the lawful use of the utility services.

Some customers will resort to unlawful means to gain access to utilityservice. One common way has been to defeat any locks that haveheretofore been used to prevent usage. Past locks have been particularlysubject to defeat as exemplified by the patents discussed below.

The patent art has disclosed locking devices for valves and the like.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 566,932 to Patrick is directed to stop-cocklock which is stated to be simple and durable in construction and easilyapplied or removed. The Patrick device consists principally of a slottedhasp adapted to be passed around the stop-cock and engage with its slotthe turn-key of the cock. The free ends of the hasp are adapted to belocked together. One major drawback of the structure depicted in thePatrick patent is that the hasp of the lock is exposed. In other words,one who wants to defeat the lock has direct effective access with a sawblade or the like to the hasp so as to be able to saw the hasp in twothereby defeating the lock and gaining access to the valve.

Another example from the patent art is U.S. Pat. No. 1,780,994 toCaldwell. Caldwell is directed to a device for sealing or locking valvesor cocks by providing a box-shaped member arranged to snuggly fit twoopposite sides and the base of a valve or cock and includes two hingedlids arranged to fold down upon and interlock with the projecting stemor key of the valve or cock. The structure depicted in the Caldwellpatent suffers the same drawback as Patrick in that the hasp of the lockis directly accessible by a saw blade or the like whereby the hasp canbe sawed in two and the lock defeated. By defeating the lock, one gainsaccess to the valve.

Still another example from the patent art is U.S. Pat. No. 2,924,960 toPalazzo which is directed to a lock engageable with a valve stem so asto prevent operation of the valve by unauthorized individual. Again, thedevice depicted in the Palazzo patent shows that one can have effectivedirect access by a saw blade to the hasp of the lock thereby permittingone to saw the hasp in two and defeat the lock.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,256 to Weaver is directed to a detachable valvelocking means for valves of gas, water, or like pipes wherein it isdesirable to maintain the valve in either an open or closed conditionagainst unauthorized actuation. It is apparent that the device depictedin Weaver does not prevent effective direct access by a saw blade to thehasp of the lock. It seems the device depicted in Weaver can bedefeated.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,690 to Anderson is directed to a locking devicewhich includes a handle assembly and locking member which cooperate withan abutment member mounted on a valve housing to secure a valve ineither an open or closed position. The device depicted in the Andersonpatent does not effectively prevent direct access to the hasp by a sawblade, and thus, the structure is accessible to defeat by sawing thehasp in two.

Therefore, it becomes readily apparent that there is need for a lockingdevice for shut-off valve, meter or the like that provides protection toboth the shut-off valve and the lock used in conjunction therewith. Byproviding a locking device offering such protection, the integrity ofthe locking device is increased. This results in a decrease ofunauthorized use of utility services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the principal object of the invention to provide an improvedlocking device for a valve.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved lockingdevice for a valve that operates in conjunction with a separate lock.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved lockingdevice for a valve operating in conjunction with a separate lock wherebythe locking device provides protection to the valve and the lock so thataccess cannot be gained to the valve by defeating the lock.

Finally, it is another object of the invention to provide an improvedlocking device for a valve for use in conjunction with a separate lockwhereby the locking device prevents direct manipulation of the valve.

The invention is a locking device for a valve comprising one elongateplate having top and bottom ends, an ear near the top end and projectinginteriorly from said one plate, and an arm near the bottom end andprojecting interiorly from said one plate. The one plate has a top edge.The locking device further includes another elongate plate having topand bottom ends, an ear near the top end projecting interiorly from saidother plate, and an aperture contained in said other plate near thebottom end thereof. The other plate has a top edge.

Each plate has a cover extending from said top edge thereof toward thetop edge of the opposite plate. When the locking device is in anassembled condition the following exist;, the ears overlap, the armpasses through the aperture, and the covers are adjacent to each otherand overlap the opposite top edge so as to be positioned above thevolume defined between said plates.

Each of said ears containing an aperture.

An elongate lock having a barrel portion, wherein said barrel portionpasses through the aperture in said ears. The barrel portion issubstantially contained with the volume defined betwen said plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptionof an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one specific embodiment of the inventionwherein the locking device is connected to a shut-off valve on a meteryoke;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the locking device of FIG. 1without the padlock being illustrated;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interior face of one of the platemembers of the specific embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another specific embodiment of theinvention wherein an elongate locking device is connected to a shut-offvalve on a meter; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the locking device of FIG. 4without the elongate lock being illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, one specific embodiment of the locking deviceis generally designated as 10. Locking device 10 includes a pair ofdetachably connected corresponding plates (or members) 12 and 14. Theseplates 12,14 can be made from hardened steel so as to be resistant tosawing or cutting.

One plate 12 includes an upper member 16 having a bottom edge 18 and aninterior surface 20. An ear 22, containing an aperture 24 projectsinwardly from one plate 12. Upper member 16 further includes a top edge26 wherein the interior corner thereof contains a bevel 25.

One plate 12 further includes a lower member 28 having an interiorsurface 30 a pair of arms, 32 and 34 extending inwardly from the bottomof lower member 28. Arms 32 and 34 can be made from a hardened steel.The distal ends of arms 32 and 34 each having a curved section 36 and38, respectively.

Although it is not illustrated, one plate 12 can contain an aperturetherein. The purpose of this aperture will be described hereinafter.

Upper member 16 and lower member 28 are joined in an overlapping fashionwhereby bottom edge 18 acts as a shoulder as will be describedhereinafter.

The other plate 14 includes an upper member 40 having a top edge 42wherein the interior corner thereof contains a bevel 44. Upper member 40further includes a bottom edge 46 and an interior surface 48. An ear 50containing an aperture 52, projects inwardly from interior surface 48.

Other plate 14 further includes a lower member 54 having an interiorsurface 56, a generally rectangularly-shaped aperture 58 adjacent thetop portion thereof. Further, lower member 54 includes a generallyrectangularly-shaped projection 60 positioned above a pair of apertures62 and 64 contained in lower member 54 near the bottom edge thereof.

The drawings further illustrate a water meter yoke having a shut-offvalve 70 mounted thereto by a fitting. Shut-off valve 70 includes a pairof ears 72 and 74 each containing an aperture 76. A pipe 78 having afitting on the end thereof and another pipe 80 connected directly to theshut-off valve 70 (by the fitting) are joined together. In a typicalmeter installation, the meter, which is positioned between pipes 78 and80, is located in a hole in the ground. The hole is dimensioned so thatthe bottom of the yoke is adjacent to the bottom of the hole. It shouldbe mentioned that the meter yoke assembly, and especially ears 72, 74are made of a soft metal such as brass or copper. These elements arethus particularly susceptible to vandalism and breakage.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional padlock 90 which includes a hasp.

FIG. 1 illustrates the locking device 10 in an assembled condition. Asdepicted in FIG. 1, when the locking device 10 is assembled, the arms 32and 34 pass through apertures 64 and 62, respectively. It is to be notedthat the curved sections 36,38 of arms 32,34, respectively, passcompletely through apertures 64 and 62 so as to make it difficult forsomeone to twist plates 12 and 14 relative to each other.

Ears 22 and 50 are positioned so that when the locking device 10 isassembled, these ears (22,50) overlap so that their respectiveapertures, aperture 24 (of ear 22) and aperture 52 (of ear 50), are inalignment. The hasp of the padlock 90 is passed through apertures 24 and52 and the padlock 90 is locked. As a result, the plates 12 and 14 ofthe locking device 10 are locked together.

Ears 72, 74 of shut-off valve 70 pass through aperture 58. In theparticular condition illustrated in the drawings, the shut-off value isin an "off" condition.

As previously mentioned, the one plate 12 can contain an aperturepositioned so as to be a counterpart to aperture 58. Thus, this aperturereceives ears 72,74 if one wanted to position the shut-off value in an"on" position, which is 180° from the "off" position.

It should be noted that the hasp of lock 90 is sandwiched between uppermembers 16 and 40 in such a fashion so that the entire hasp is withinthe volume defined between upper members 16 and 40. The gap betweenupper members 16 and 40 is relatively narrow and is not sufficientlywide to enable one to effectively have direct access to the hasp by asaw blade or the like. Consequently, the locking device 10 preventseffective direct access by a saw blade, bolt cutters or the like to thehasp so that the hasp cannot be sawed in two and the lock defeated.

It should also be noted that bevels 25 and 44 permit the corners of thepadlock 90 to be positioned below the top edges 26 and 42 of the uppermembers 16 and 40, respectively. These bevels (25,44) permit the entirehasp of the lock 90 to be contained within the interior volume definedbetween the interior surfaces 20 and 48 of upper members 16 and 40,respectively.

When the locking device 10 assembled, bottom edges 18 and 46 of uppermembers 16 and 40, respectively, rest on either side of shut-off valve70, and projections 72, 74 extend through generally rectangularly-shapedaperture 58.

When the locking device 10 is assembled, projection 60 rests against thefitting that connects the shut-off valve 70 to pipe 80. As a result, theabutment between the projection and fitting prevents someone frombacking off the fitting and removing the shut-off valve.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another specific embodiment of the invention,generally deisgnated as 10', intended to be used with an elongate styleof lock 94. As can be appreciated, lock 94 comprises two basic portions;namely, a larger diameter section 100 and a smaller diameter section102. Section 102 is slidably received within section 100 whereby the twosections are locked together. Lock 94 can be unlocked by a tool or keyinserted into the keyhole 104.

The structural elements which are common between the two embodimentsdescribed herein will be designated with the same reference numeral, butthe reference numerals will be primed for the structure illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5. The description of common elements will not be repeatedwith respect to the second embodiment, except to describe structurewhich is not common between the two embodiments.

A cover 96 extends from the top edge 26' of the one plate 12' towardsthe other plate 14'. Cover 96 is dimensioned so as to have a width Wequal to about one-half of the width of the upper member 16'. The lengthL of cover 96 is such that it overlaps the top edge 42' of the otherplate 14' when the locking device 10' is assembled.

A cover 98 extends from the top edge 42' of the other plate 14' towardsthe one plate 12'. Cover 98 is dimensioned so as to have a width W'equal to about one-half of the width of the upper member 40'. The lengthL' of cover 98 is such that it overlaps the top edge 26' of the oneplate 12' when the licking device 10' is assembled.

When assembled, the locking device 10' in conjunction with lock 94provides an effective locking device for a valve. It should beappreciated that a substantial portion of the barrel section of theassembled lock is contained within the volume defined by plates 12' and14'. The barrel section of the assembly comprises that portion of thelock between the opposite flared portions. The gap between the uppermembers 16' and 40' is relatively narrow and is not sufficiently wide toenable one to effectively have direct access to the barrel portion by asaw blade or the like.

In addition, it should be appreciated that covers 96 and 98 aredimensioned so as to be adjacent each other and overlap the top edge ofthe opposite member. Hence, covers 96,98 overlie the volume definedbetween upper members 16' and 40', and as a consequence thereof, protectthe barrel section of the assembled lock from direct access by a sawblade or the like.

When the locking device 10' is assembled, bottom edges 18' and 46' ofupper members 16' and 40', respectively, rest on either side of shut-offvalve 70, and projections 72, 74 extend through generallyrectangularly-shaped aperture 58'.

When the locking device 10' is assembled, projection 60' rest againstthe fitting that connects the shut-off valve 70 to pipe 80. As a result,the abutment between the projection and fitting prevents someone frombacking off the fitting and removing the shut-off valve.

Overall, the present invention is a novel locking device, typically madefrom a hard material, designed to protect a shut-off valve or the like,which is typically made from a soft material. The locking deviceprotects the shut-off valve from disassembly from the meter yoke. Thelocking device, when assembled, cannot be twisted apart. When assembled,the locking device protests the lock (e.g. a padlock) that locks thelocking device in the assembled condition.

While there have been described above the principles of this inventionin connection with a specific device, it is to be clearly understoodthat this description is made only by way of example and not as alimitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A locking device for a valve comprising:oneelongate plate having top and bottom ends, an ear near the top end andprojecting interiorly from said one plate, an arm near the bottom endand projecting interiorly from said one plate, said one plate having atop edge; another elongate plate having top and bottom ends, an ear nearthe top and projecting interiorly from said other plate, an aperturecontained in said other plate near the bottom end thereof, said otherplate having a top edge; each plate having a cover extending from saidtop edge thereof toward the top edge of the opposite plate; when thelocking device is in an assembled condition, said ears overlap, said armpasses through said aperture, and said covers are adjacent so as to bepositioned over the volume defined by said opposite plates; each of saidears containing an aperture; a lock having a barrel section, said barrelsection passing through the apertures in said ears, so that a portion ofthe barrel section is contained within the volume defined between saidplates; and each one of said plates includes an upper member joined to alower member in an overlapping fashion to form the shoulder.
 2. Thelocking device of claim 1, wherein said one plate further includes asecond arm, said other plate includes second aperture, and said secondarm passing through said second aperture.
 3. A locking device for avalve comprising:one elongate plate having top and bottom ends, an earnear the top end and projecting interiorly from said one plate, an armnear the bottom end and projecting interiorly from said one plate, saidone plate having a top edge; another elongate plate having top andbottom ends, an ear near the top end projecting interiorly from saidother plate, an aperture contained in said other plate near the bottomend thereof, said other plate having a top edge; each plate having acover extending from said top edge thereof toward the top edge of theopposite plate; when the locking device is in an assembled condition,said ears overlap, said arm passes through said aperture, and saidcovers are adjacent so as to be positioned over the volume defined bysaid opposite plates; each of said ears containing an aperture; a lockhaving a barrel section, said barrel section passing through theapertures in said ears, so that a portion of the barrel section iscontained within the volume defined between said plates; and each one ofsaid plates includes an upper member and a lower member wherein when thelocking device is in an assembled condition, the upper members of saidplates are apart a lesser distance than are said lower members.